Winter water

Drive, hike, or glide to views of Oregon's Salt Creek Falls

Free-falling 286 feet, Salt Creek Falls is Oregon's
second-tallest waterfall; only Multnomah Falls, in the Columbia
River Gorge, has a longer drop. It's impressive any time of year
but dazzling with a lacework of ice and frost in midwinter.

Stop by on your way to skiing at Willamette Pass or Mt.
Bachelor, or make it a winter day's destination. From Eugene it's a
bit more than an hour's drive to the top of the falls, just off the
highway, where there's a 4,000-foot-high Sno-Park. Cautiously
follow short paths for views of the falls. If you're a competent
cross-country skier, kick and glide another 1.2 miles on a trail to
see a second cataract: 100-foot fan-shaped Diamond Creek Falls.

Beginning skiers can start a day's tour with a peek at Salt
Creek Falls, then head east on snowed-over Salt Creek Road for a
less scenic but easier outing.

INFO: Pull off State 58 at the sign to Salt Creek Falls,
about 23 miles southeast of Oakridge. Oregon Sno-Park permit
required ($3 per vehicle; purchase at any Oregon DMV office; at
Willamette Pass; or at Rascal's Market in Oakridge, 541/782-3704).
Middle Fork Ranger District,
Willamette National
Forest, 541/782-2283).